UAE sees 25% rise in demand for skilled blue-collar workers from India: Report

UAE Demand for Skilled Blue-Collar Workers from India Rises by 25%

The demand for skilled blue-collar workers from India has gone up by 25 per cent in the UAE during May 2023-April 2024, compared to the same period of the previous year, especially in sectors including technology, healthcare, construction, among others, a report said on Tuesday.

According to a report by blue-collar worker marketplace Huntr, the demand for skilled blue-collar workers from India has surged by 25 per cent during May 2023-April 2024, as compared to the same period of the previous year. This significant increase reflects the growing need for expertise in critical sectors such as technology, healthcare, and construction, which are pivotal to the UAE’s rapid development and modernization.

In terms of job roles, the demand for electricians, plumbers and technicians has grown at a rate of around 20-25 per cent over the past year, it added. These specific roles are crucial as they support the infrastructure and technological advancements that the UAE is heavily investing in. The increased demand for these skilled professionals indicates a robust growth trajectory in these sectors, driven by the UAE’s ambitious infrastructure projects and urbanisation efforts.

However, the demand for non-skilled workers has seen a more modest increase of approximately 10-15 per cent leading to a decline in the migration of non-skilled workforce by around 10 per cent, it noted. This shift suggests that while there is still a need for non-skilled labor, the emphasis is increasingly on attracting skilled workers who can contribute more significantly to the high-tech and advanced sectors of the economy.

The report by Huntr is based on quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews with 1,00,000 blue-collar workers enrolled on the platform from May 2023-April 2024 compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. This extensive data collection method ensures that the findings are robust and reflect the real-time trends and demands in the labor market.

This demand has been driven by the UAE’s ambitious infrastructure projects, rapid urbanisation, and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies across various sectors, the report noted. The UAE’s focus on these areas has created a fertile ground for skilled workers who can support and drive these initiatives forward.

Aimed at meeting evolving market needs, non-skilled workers in the UAE are actively pursuing upskilling opportunities through government initiatives like the National Qualification Authority (NQA), Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs, and the NAFIS programme, it stated. These programs are designed to help non-skilled workers acquire new skills and improve their employability, thereby aligning their capabilities with the changing demands of the labor market.

Indian states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh are emerging as major contributors to the skilled migrant workforce in the UAE, it said. These states have traditionally been sources of migrant workers, and now, with better training and skill development programs, they are supplying a more skilled and proficient workforce to the UAE.

“Beyond the numbers, this trend signifies a mutually beneficial exchange between India and the UAE. The skilled Indian diaspora is not only supporting the UAE’s visionary growth plans but also gaining invaluable experience and exposure to modern technologies and practices,” Huntr CEO Samuel Joy said. This bilateral exchange of labor and skills enhances the developmental prospects of both nations, with Indian workers gaining advanced skills and UAE benefiting from their expertise.

As these workers acquire new skills and knowledge, they contribute to the development of their home regions upon their return and this exchange of expertise fosters innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable economic progress for both nations, he added. The returning workers bring back advanced knowledge and skills, which can be instrumental in driving local development and economic growth in their home regions in India. This cyclical exchange not only enhances the individual workers’ capabilities but also strengthens the economic and developmental ties between India and the UAE.